ct must be
given:--

"Before us rose the perpendicular sides of Table Mountain, while on
either hand we saw the crags of the Lion's Head and Devil's Peak, the
former overhung by a large cloud, known as the Table-cloth. As it
reached the edge, it seemed to fall down for a short distance, and then
to disperse, melting away in the clear air. The town still preserves
the characteristics given to it by its founders, many of the houses
retaining a Dutch look, a considerable number of the inhabitants,
indeed, having also the appearance of veritable Hollanders. The town is
laid out regularly, most of the streets crossing each other at right
angles, with rows of oak, poplar, and pine-trees lining the sides of the
principal ones. Many of the houses have vine and rose-trees trailed
over them; while the shutters and doors, and the woodwork generally, are
painted of various colours, which give them a somewhat quaint but neat
and picturesque appearance."

Harry twice got a run on shore, but his duties confined him on board for
the rest of the time the ship remained. She was on the point of sailing
when news was received of a serious outbreak of the Kaffirs. A small
body of troops on the frontier had been almost overwhelmed, and
compelled to entrench themselves till relief could be sent to them. The
Commander-in-chief accordingly ordered the "Ranger" to proceed
immediately to the nearest point where it was supposed troops could be
disembarked. It is known as Waterloo Bay. She arrived off the bay in
the evening; but Captain Newcombe, not deeming it prudent to run into an
unknown place during the night, stood away from the land, intending to
return at daylight. In a short time, however, it fell calm. The lead
was hove. It was evident that a current and swell combined were
drifting the ship fast towards the shore, on which the surf was breaking
heavily. On this the captain ordered an anchor to be let go, which
happily brought her up. Though there was scarcely a breath of air,
every now and then heavy rollers came slowly in, lifting the ship
gently, and then, passing on, broke with a terrific roar on the rocky
coast. The passengers were on deck. The young military officers
chatted and laughed as usual, and endeavoured to make themselves
agreeable to the ladies. Colonel Morley, however, looked grave. He
clearly understood the dangerous position in which they were placed.
Willy Dicey asked Harry what he thought about the